The important supply line, which carries about 90,000 barrels of oil a day from the North Sea, was shut in January and again in March after oil leaks were detected at the Cormorant Alpha platform, operated by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa).

Production from up to 27 oilfields is funnelled through the Brent pipeline, which passes through Cormorant Alpha. The Brent system was shut down as a safety precaution after the leaks were detected from other pipes within the same leg of the platform.

Taqa told The Daily Telegraph that it had now decided to keep the platform – which itself produces about 10,000 barrels a day – shut for several months' worth of maintenance.

If more leaks occurred during the repair process, it could be forced to shut down the Brent system again, the company warned.

"The leak was an oil leak but oil always contains a little bit of gas, which potentially then could be an explosion risk," said Leo Koot, managing director of Taqa's UK oil and gas business.

The leaks earlier this year did not escape into the environment, said Mr Koot. He said that the company had been able to quickly stop the last leak by "pumping water down the top of the pipe, pushing the oil back to where it was supposed to be".

Workers then pumped down a fluid that contained "horsehair and nutshells", which served to plug the leak from the inside out.

"It's not very technical, but very effective," he said.

The company then moved on to implement more permanent repairs to the pipeline.

Taqa said in a statement: "Although no closure of the Brent System Pipeline is planned as part of this inspection, repair and maintenance programme, it has been and could in future be subject to temporary closure on a precautionary basis should this be required during this programme of work".